Now, he walks next to me while assuring me that he doesn't need to hold my hand.

Before school started, he would have been afraid to leave my side at a crowded In 'n' Out while waiting for our meal.

Now, he not only finds us a booth, but offers to walk to the counter and ask for a to go container. By himself.

Before school started, he wouldn't have questioned when I take him into the women's restroom.

Now, he informs me that he needs to go the men's room because he's almost a man.

He's cleaning his room without help. He's picking out his clothes and they actually match. He's clearing his place after dinner, helping his sister wash her hands and reminding me it's time to potty train Elizabeth. He assures me that he can do his homework without help – though he still asks on occasion – and proudly hands me papers with stars on the top. He asks for instructional videos to construct his Legos rather than having me put them together, is learning to play chess and can actually get through half a knock knock joke before giving away the punchline.

In a few short weeks, my little preschooler has become an elementary school student. It's making this mom's head spin.

Mandy Dawson is the creator of In Mandyland, an almost daily blog recording her adventures in juggling a full-time job, two active children, four arguing hens, a fluffy bunny, and one ex-husband. A self-diagnosed gardening and crafting addict, she often finds herself gluing together clay pots and trying to discover the cure for brown thumb. When she’s not writing, she can be found burning dinners while she stares off into space with a story idea. She was a regular contributor for Makes Fun of Stuff, Aiming Low, and Six Kitchens, and has been featured on BlogHer and Mamapedia. She is an Assistant Editor for Write on Edge and has had her fiction featured in three anthologies currently available on Amazon.